Espresso On Demand: The five best Nespresso machines

Posted:
Saturday, June 2, 2018 11:08 AM EDT

By Gia Liu

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While coffee makers are pretty standard in American kitchens, most people still trek down to their local coffee shop in order to get an espresso or a cappuccino. And why not? Making these drinks is a complicated process, right? It’s not like you can get a quality cup of espresso at the push of a button…oh.

A Nespresso machine can put coffee shop quality espresso on your kitchen counter. But what model is right for you? When picking out a Nespresso machine, you have to take various factors into consideration. You need to decide how much you’re willing to spend, what features you consider necessities, and how much counter space you’re willing to sacrifice for a good cup of coffee.

The best budget option

The Nespresso Inissia Espresso Machine by De’Longhi is one of the most smallest machines in Nespresso’s current line-up, making it the perfect choice for anyone who is tight on kitchen counter space. It’s also one of the most budget-friendly Nespresso coffee makers, meaning your morning cup of joe won’t force you to break the bank. But don’t think that this small machine doesn’t pack a punch. It can reach the ideal water temperature in just 25 seconds, so you can make nine single-serving cups before you have to refill the water tank, which holds 24 ounces.

Conveniently, this machine features adjustable cup size, thanks to the programmable Espresso (1.35 oz) and Lungo (5 oz) buttons, so you can make anything from a huge mug of coffee to a small afternoon pick-me-up. For safety and energy efficiency, the machine will automatically switch off after nine minutes.

The most stylish

While all Nespresso makers are pleasant to look at, the Citiz espresso maker really places an emphasis on its design. Billed as “urban smart,” the design of this espresso maker was inspired by New York City architecture in the 1940s.

The Citiz is part of Nespresso’s original line of espresso makers, and can pour both Espresso and Lungo size cups. The Citiz heats up in just 25 seconds and will automatically shutoff after nine minutes of inactivity. Nespresso also makes a Citiz+Milk machine which includes an attached frother. However, this machine is simply a Citiz with an Aeroccino Plus Milk Frother attached to its side. If the price is right, you’d get more versatility and save some counter space by simply buying these devices separately.

The best for froth enthusiasts

Just because you’re making coffee at home doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have options. The Nespresso Lattisima Plus from Delonghi has a built-in milk frother so you can make espresso, cappuccino, or a latte macchiato with a push of a button. Seriously, the Lattissima brews your espresso, froths your milk, and then combines the two in the correct portions.

The Lattissima Plus has a 0.9-liter water reservoir and a 0.35-liter milk container. If there’s anything inconvenient about this machine it’s the fact that Delonghi has not figured out a way to keep milk fresh when it’s left out on the counter. Yes, you’ll have to refrigerate the milk container when it’s not in use.

The most versatile

Nespresso makers are known for making great espresso in the comfort of your own kitchen, but sometimes you might want more than a single shot of caffeine in the morning. With the touch of a buttonNespresso’s Creatista machine can make coffee or espresso, and even complex creations such as latte macchiatos, flat whites, and cappuccinos. You can even adjust some settings to indicate the coffee volume and milk temperature you prefer. Conveniently, the machine has a built-in milk frother with eight texture levels.

This machine includes tons of helpful features, from an automatic self-cleaning function, a stainless milk jug, 19 bars of pressure, and 2 years of warranty. It can also heat up in less than 3 seconds, and will automatically power off after nine minutes, for the purposes of both safety and energy efficiency.

The high-end alternative

If you can afford $600 for an espresso maker, the Lattissima Pro might be what you’re looking for. This top-of-the-line Nespresso maker has all the conveniences of the Lattissima Plus, plus a few extra features, such as a digital display, water hardness settings, and semi-automatic daily cleanings.

While the Nespresso Lattissima Pro can certainly produce great espresso and cappuccino, one drawback of this machine is its inability to make a basic cup of coffee. While we wouldn’t normally complain about an espresso machine’s inability to make coffee, this feature is available on some of the less expensive models.